The leader of Kingston Council has promised to act to clean up the borough’s long-standing problem of pigeon poo under railway bridges.

The pledge to work with Network Rail comes as these pictures show the birds sitting under a bridge in New Malden – perched on piles of their own excrement.

Conservative leader Councillor Kevin Davis said the poo problem was “not acceptable”.

Some birds become trapped in netting under the Kingston Road bridge, and fall to the ground only after they die and have decayed.

Coun Davis said: “We will pursue it with Network Rail. It can’t be that hygienic.

“It’s quite hard to work out exactly who is taking responsibility.

“I will take it up with them in the context of all railway bridges.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We also want to see an end to the pigeon poo problem on this bridge.

“Traditional pigeon netting has its limitations and our preferred solution these days is to put up something stronger, such as a metal mesh.

“In normal circumstances, we are responsible for making sure the footpath is safe from pigeons. However, we are happy to work with local authorities to provide solutions to pigeon fouling over roads too.

“We schedule pigeon proofing work for when other work is required to bridges.”

Surrey Comet:

Pigeons under Kingston Road bridge sit atop piles of their own droppings

Surrey Comet:

Some birds become trapped in netting and fall to the ground only after they die and have decayed

Frederick Corbett, of Kingston Road, who lives close to the bridge, said: “We have been up against this for I can’t tell you how long. It’s soul-destroying.

“There are far more important things in the world than pigeons, but when you’ve got to walk under that bridge and see their dead bodies and excrement, it becomes important.”

Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Stephen Brister said: “We agree that you have to nip these things in the bud. It’s an infestation. It’s what people see every day – it does affect your life.

“There’s pressure to be applied on Network Rail.”

Conservative parliamentary candidate James Berry said: “I was at the Kingston Road railway bridge on Saturday with residents.

“While we were there, an injured pigeon fell from the netting, causing traffic to swerve before a van squashed it.

“It is both disgusting and dangerous.”